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A Year of Living Generously: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Philanthropy
Can one person make a difference?
When we write a cheque to a charity, or run in a fundraiser, or volunteer at a food bank, we’re part of the solution, aren’t we? Lawrence Scanlan went on a year long odyssey to discover the answers and uncover the true face of philanthropy – its players, its politics, its undeniable satisfactions and its fundamental perils. Scanlan builds housing in New Orleans, teaches journalism in Senegal, works with AIDS/HIV victims in Costa Rica and the homeless in Canada. He encounters the legacies of famous philanthropists, from Andrew Carnegie and Bill Gates, to lesser-known figures like prison nun Mother Antonia. Finding hope and humor every step of the way, he nevertheless confronts some uncomfortable truths about direct engagement and the societal divide that allows most of us to look away. A Year of Living Generously is a passionate call for greater connection and genuine commitment from us all.
When we write a cheque to a charity, or run in a fundraiser, or volunteer at a food bank, we’re part of the solution, aren’t we? Lawrence Scanlan went on a year long odyssey to discover the answers and uncover the true face of philanthropy – its players, its politics, its undeniable satisfactions and its fundamental perils. Scanlan builds housing in New Orleans, teaches journalism in Senegal, works with AIDS/HIV victims in Costa Rica and the homeless in Canada. He encounters the legacies of famous philanthropists, from Andrew Carnegie and Bill Gates, to lesser-known figures like prison nun Mother Antonia. Finding hope and humor every step of the way, he nevertheless confronts some uncomfortable truths about direct engagement and the societal divide that allows most of us to look away. A Year of Living Generously is a passionate call for greater connection and genuine commitment from us all.
330 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2010
About the author
Lawrence Scanlan
27 books24 followersFrom Macmillan Books:
Lawrence Scanlan is the author of six bestselling books, including Wild About Horses and Little Horse of Iron. He is the coauthor, with Ian Millar, of Riding High, and has written three books for younger readers: Big Ben, Horses Forever, and The Horse’s Shadow. Scanlan worked closely with Monty Roberts on his acclaimed book The Man Who Listens to Horses. Winner of three Canadian National Magazine Awards for his journalism, Scanlan lives in Kingston, Ontario.
Lawrence Scanlan is the author of six bestselling books, including Wild About Horses and Little Horse of Iron. He is the coauthor, with Ian Millar, of Riding High, and has written three books for younger readers: Big Ben, Horses Forever, and The Horse’s Shadow. Scanlan worked closely with Monty Roberts on his acclaimed book The Man Who Listens to Horses. Winner of three Canadian National Magazine Awards for his journalism, Scanlan lives in Kingston, Ontario.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 28, 2017
The author spends a year immersing himself in philanthropy, volunteering for a variety of organizations in Canada and outside it, from a local hospice to Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans and a women's radio station in Senegal. He writes about the individuals he meets, the work of volunteers and what drives them, how what they provide is received, and the tricky relationship between philanthropy and government. The structure felt a little limp at times,but interesting things to think about, and I found the last chapter and epilogue especially engaging.
November 12, 2011
Lawrence Scanlan, a writer and journalist from Kingston, Ontario, has for many years volunteered his time, his money, and his talents to various charitable and community organisations. But in 2008, he decided to immerse himself in ‘deep volunteering’. He wanted to explore the concepts of the original meaning of philanthropia, which originally meant ‘love for humankind’. He asks, “Are governments right to trust that wealthy benefactors and armies of volunteers will pick up the slack if they step aside?”
He arranged a different volunteer mission for each month of the year. He started off working at Vinnie’s, a St Vincent de Paul centre drop-in centre in Kingston for the homeless and needy. While he served up food to the hungry, he learned the stories of the clients and the other volunteers, and he considered their roles and relationships with each other, struggling to consider all in a larger context. A note is on one of the kitchen cupboards: “There are no unimportant jobs, no unimportant people, no unimportant acts of kindness.” He is reminded of this repeatedly as he cycles through the next twelve months.
He works with advocates for the homeless, in a hospice, an immigrant services help centre, soup kitchen in Costa Rica, and a woman’s radio station in Africa. He spends a month with a John Howard Society group in Kingston (which is home to a number of prisons). It is disheartening to read how in so many ways our society has not advanced beyond its instinctive prejudices and cruelties. One of his opening quotes warns us: “An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.” This was from the first century Greek historian Plutarch. Our present government continues to push further to the right, with ideologies indistinguishable from those of the ruling classes a hundred years ago, incapable of recognising truths articulated two thousand years ago.
But it doesn’t all feel like hopeless windmill tilting. He spends time helping at a therapeutic horse riding place, and during his time with an environmental group he describes a David vs Goliath victory against a giant company which was eventually blocked from a plan to incinerate tires in order to produce energy (and even purify the air, according to the incredible spin of a company engineer who must have been very desperate to hold on to his great pension). He enlists his loveable dog Dusty to provide pet therapy for the disabled at a Kingston resource centre. He is amazed to see that three years after Hurricane Katrina, vast areas of New Orleans have still not been resuscitated and rehabilitated, and he joins in on building a home there with the group Habitat for Humanity. He shares his talents for writing by helping to teach his craft to First Nations students on a Mohawk reservation. Each experience reinforces the idea that this is all about people helping people. “Only a twist of fate separates us.”
Despite this being a book about his different experiences at these various organisations, his presence in the book is only as a facilitator, to show the real stories. He doesn’t let himself get in the way of the stories.
In the epilogue, he says he believes in benevolence, and he he will always continue to actively serve in the volunteer ranks, as he has done for many years. But, he says “the status quo stinks. Volunteers alone, magnanimous philanthropists alone, are not the answer.” This is the best chapter. He criticizes the failure of governments to address the underlying causes that result in the need for these charities. And the model itself is deeply flawed. “The model of charity that has governed North America for centuries, simply put, goes like this: let the rich amass their wealth, unfettered by taxes as much as possible, and let us hope they ‘give back’ before dying.” He agrees with others, who find that this model “is paternalistic and given to self-congratulation.” He quotes Monique Begin, a former cabinet minister over 20 years ago, who said “Canada likes to brag that for seven years in a row the United Nations voted us the best country in the world in which to live. …The truth is that our country is so wealthy that it manages to mask the reality of food-banks in our cities, of unacceptable housing, of young Inuit adults’ very high suicide rates.”
“Inequality is bad for our health, as individuals and as nations.”
When I started the book I wondered if it was going to be a syrupy wide-eyed paean to the selfless heroism of the volunteers. But it isn’t. It’s both a celebration and a lament. He exhorts us: “Marry that individual giving with political engagement. Pressure politicians at every level…join forces with those who advocate for the poor…Be less the avid consumer and more the engaged citizen. Show empathy as a volunteer, show passion as an activist. Get angry, get informed…”
He arranged a different volunteer mission for each month of the year. He started off working at Vinnie’s, a St Vincent de Paul centre drop-in centre in Kingston for the homeless and needy. While he served up food to the hungry, he learned the stories of the clients and the other volunteers, and he considered their roles and relationships with each other, struggling to consider all in a larger context. A note is on one of the kitchen cupboards: “There are no unimportant jobs, no unimportant people, no unimportant acts of kindness.” He is reminded of this repeatedly as he cycles through the next twelve months.
He works with advocates for the homeless, in a hospice, an immigrant services help centre, soup kitchen in Costa Rica, and a woman’s radio station in Africa. He spends a month with a John Howard Society group in Kingston (which is home to a number of prisons). It is disheartening to read how in so many ways our society has not advanced beyond its instinctive prejudices and cruelties. One of his opening quotes warns us: “An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.” This was from the first century Greek historian Plutarch. Our present government continues to push further to the right, with ideologies indistinguishable from those of the ruling classes a hundred years ago, incapable of recognising truths articulated two thousand years ago.
But it doesn’t all feel like hopeless windmill tilting. He spends time helping at a therapeutic horse riding place, and during his time with an environmental group he describes a David vs Goliath victory against a giant company which was eventually blocked from a plan to incinerate tires in order to produce energy (and even purify the air, according to the incredible spin of a company engineer who must have been very desperate to hold on to his great pension). He enlists his loveable dog Dusty to provide pet therapy for the disabled at a Kingston resource centre. He is amazed to see that three years after Hurricane Katrina, vast areas of New Orleans have still not been resuscitated and rehabilitated, and he joins in on building a home there with the group Habitat for Humanity. He shares his talents for writing by helping to teach his craft to First Nations students on a Mohawk reservation. Each experience reinforces the idea that this is all about people helping people. “Only a twist of fate separates us.”
Despite this being a book about his different experiences at these various organisations, his presence in the book is only as a facilitator, to show the real stories. He doesn’t let himself get in the way of the stories.
In the epilogue, he says he believes in benevolence, and he he will always continue to actively serve in the volunteer ranks, as he has done for many years. But, he says “the status quo stinks. Volunteers alone, magnanimous philanthropists alone, are not the answer.” This is the best chapter. He criticizes the failure of governments to address the underlying causes that result in the need for these charities. And the model itself is deeply flawed. “The model of charity that has governed North America for centuries, simply put, goes like this: let the rich amass their wealth, unfettered by taxes as much as possible, and let us hope they ‘give back’ before dying.” He agrees with others, who find that this model “is paternalistic and given to self-congratulation.” He quotes Monique Begin, a former cabinet minister over 20 years ago, who said “Canada likes to brag that for seven years in a row the United Nations voted us the best country in the world in which to live. …The truth is that our country is so wealthy that it manages to mask the reality of food-banks in our cities, of unacceptable housing, of young Inuit adults’ very high suicide rates.”
“Inequality is bad for our health, as individuals and as nations.”
When I started the book I wondered if it was going to be a syrupy wide-eyed paean to the selfless heroism of the volunteers. But it isn’t. It’s both a celebration and a lament. He exhorts us: “Marry that individual giving with political engagement. Pressure politicians at every level…join forces with those who advocate for the poor…Be less the avid consumer and more the engaged citizen. Show empathy as a volunteer, show passion as an activist. Get angry, get informed…”
July 15, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It is quite different. The author is a reporter and decides to spend one month working in 12 different charitable organizations- a full calendar year. Many charities aren’t that interested in training someone just for one month but he found several diverse orgs to help. I liked some of the simple conclusions: you won’t be able to fix things but you have to try. Many times spending time with people and just listening to their stories are all that is needed. Many simple acts go a long way such as growing flowers for terminally ill patients who visit a day center to give their caregivers a break once a week.
This is an easy read and I defy recommend it.
This is an easy read and I defy recommend it.
May 16, 2021
Well-written and informative about the various charities with which the author commits to volunteering. He uncovers much of the frustrations of doing charitable work, the constant need for resources and the tensions between government and private sector. I personally hoped to read more insights into how the author's viewpoint had changed concerning his own generosity. While he was necessarily inquisitive, I got the impression that he remained at arm's length with each experience. Thus the reader is informed but unchanged.
January 28, 2025
The best part of this book hands down was the epilogue where the author actually reflected on his experiences and dug into the problem with the volunteering/charity industry and how we can progress as a society in terms of poverty and policy.
November 22, 2018
A pleasure to read, and full of lots of little insights. I was hoping for more attention on how the relationship between charity and government intervention play out, but overall I enjoyed this book.
January 6, 2019
"There are no unimportant jobs, no unimportant people, no unimportant acts of kindness" - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
December 25, 2021
really enjoyed reading about his experiences but wanted more of the emotion and how he felt about what he was seeing, how did it change his outlook?
June 29, 2024
(16 March, 2022)
A fine read and an interesting subject but there are a few problems here. The initial chapters focus on 'regular' altruism, some others were on levels most cannot reach (at least not without major disruptions to one's life). This is amplified by the author's insistence on self-congratulatory digressions, which are numerous. There is also the 'A phone call here, a contact there' effect - everything is magically arranged for him, how quaint. He has a lot of compassion for the casualties of a bad or corrupt system but it mysteriously disappears when he delves into the world of prisoners and ex-cons, from an institution filled with sex offenders no less. Where is the empathy for the victims of these disgusting rapists and molesters? I also dislike his views on horse-riding (for therapy, for pleasure, for whatever reasons... ). The utilitarian need to use horses in Canada for transportation is close to zero. If horse carriages are being banned in major cities, why is horse riding still a thing?
While still a good view from the other side of society (the reason for the 2 star rating) and he does do good things, even the Epilogue left a bad taste in my mouth. Scanlan argues for beneficial change in how we, as a society, view philanthropy and charitable efforts, but he also has many opinions on how others are supposed to spend their money...
A fine read and an interesting subject but there are a few problems here. The initial chapters focus on 'regular' altruism, some others were on levels most cannot reach (at least not without major disruptions to one's life). This is amplified by the author's insistence on self-congratulatory digressions, which are numerous. There is also the 'A phone call here, a contact there' effect - everything is magically arranged for him, how quaint. He has a lot of compassion for the casualties of a bad or corrupt system but it mysteriously disappears when he delves into the world of prisoners and ex-cons, from an institution filled with sex offenders no less. Where is the empathy for the victims of these disgusting rapists and molesters? I also dislike his views on horse-riding (for therapy, for pleasure, for whatever reasons... ). The utilitarian need to use horses in Canada for transportation is close to zero. If horse carriages are being banned in major cities, why is horse riding still a thing?
While still a good view from the other side of society (the reason for the 2 star rating) and he does do good things, even the Epilogue left a bad taste in my mouth. Scanlan argues for beneficial change in how we, as a society, view philanthropy and charitable efforts, but he also has many opinions on how others are supposed to spend their money...
November 3, 2015
Lawrence Scanlan has produced a perfectly constructed book exploring the world of philanthropy from all sides. Scanlan's adventures in volunteering give a compassionate look at the people in various forms of poverty, letting the reader be moved to action. His call to take up volunteering and political activism strikes the right note; while he provides direction as to where those energies could be best spent. The parable, the author includes, about the babies in the river sums up the struggles inherent in philanthropy in an unforgettable way. Scanlan's discourse will stay with the reader long after the book has been read.
September 8, 2012
I got this book for free as the author was giving a talk and signing books at MAC this week. But I wouldn't have read it, if it had not appealed to me. I particularly appreciated the focus on local organizations because all too often we are not aware of what happens in our own backyard. It was eye-opening and makes you think about compassion and the contributions you (as the reader) can/should make to the lives of others and why. The epilogue is powerful in exploring the notions of philanthropy versus rights/responsibilities - there is a place for all of it!
June 24, 2010
I really enjoyed this book and loved how the author used his journalism skills to create some a well rounded read! The author explores philanthropy and volunteerism and spends a year volunteering in 12 different organizations. He learns a lot about non-profits, volunteering, social problems and the communities around them. The author is from Kingston, Ontario, and I enjoyed learning more about that community. I definitely enjoyed the Canadian aspects of this book.
July 30, 2012
A very touching and inspiring book, not about the man who took on the task of volunteering in these institutions, but instead of those who surrounded him; the people who live impoverished lives and those who feel helpless when it comes to aiding them. The book really struck me, with powerful quotes and writing that really makes you want to stand up and help these people out. The message was extremely prominent and I have already recommended this read to many others.
May 19, 2013
This book was given to me as a gift from a professor at Mac after the author did a book signing. She said it reminded her of me and my volunteer stints local and abroad. Great book with touching tales and eye opening experiences. Great life quotes as well.
September 9, 2010
An eye-opener about the state of poverty in my own country.
September 30, 2012
Excellent, thought-provoking book! Good balance of story and research. Also recommend his horse books...
January 7, 2013
This book shows you that one person can make a difference.
February 26, 2014
Worth 3,5
July 24, 2015
a white guy who boned a foreigner poor girl and he's a beta male
January 29, 2016
Easy to read by chapters over time. Lot's to think about. Great admiration for the author and his year long undertaking.
February 7, 2016
A great book.
October 31, 2015
EVERYONE needs to read this book!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews